Comparing LMGs

Hey so I have a few questions about the simple comparison when applied to LMGs:

1. Is a lower number on spread decrease better or worse? (Is -5 on the Lewis better than -6 on the M1917?) I was prety sure a lower number was better but then I was comparing the Perino defensive with the low weight and saw that the Defensive's only bonus was -6 vs the LW's -5 and that got me confused. Surely the defensive isn't worse in every single way? I get that suppressive versions are worse in most stats but gain more ammo capacity (with the odd exception of the Parabellum suppressive which still only gets 100 rounds for sme reason). So what's the deal?

2. Is "spread increase per shot" a bad thing with LMGs or does it mean the weapon gets to min spread faster? I know this question was answered way back in the day but I'm just looking for a definitive answer.

3. Just a more general question: are LW versions as good as they look statistically? I find myself using them more than any other variant and am not sure if I'm the only one.

1. Is a lower number on spread decrease better or worse? (Is -5 on the Lewis better than -6 on the M1917?) I was prety sure a lower number was better but then I was comparing the Perino defensive with the low weight and saw that the Defensive's only bonus was -6 vs the LW's -5 and that got me confused. Surely the defensive isn't worse in every single way? I get that suppressive versions are worse in most stats but gain more ammo capacity (with the odd exception of the Parabellum suppressive which still only gets 100 rounds for sme reason). So what's the deal?

2. Is "spread increase per shot" a bad thing with LMGs or does it mean the weapon gets to min spread faster? I know this question was answered way back in the day but I'm just looking for a definitive answer.

3. Just a more general question: are LW versions as good as they look statistically? I find myself using them more than any other variant and am not sure if I'm the only one.

LMG's spread increase has negative value... well, let's take a look at LMG 08/18 LW and LMG 08/18 Suppressive (both off-bipod) as an example:
LW has 0.18+0.102*5=0.18+0.51=0.69 ADS spread at first bullet, then it decreases by 0.102 after each shot until it receives minspread, 0.69-0.102-0.102-0.102-0.102-0.102=0.102 or 0.69(1)->0.588(2)->0.486(3)->0.384(4)->0.282(5)->0.18(6), it takes exact 5 bullets, so at 6th shot you'll receive min spread, so LOWER MULTIPLIER IS BETTER
Suppr has 0.18+0.085*6=0.18+0.51 <- same spread at first shot, and total: 0.69(1)->0.605(2)->0.52(3)->0.435(4)->0.35(5)->0.265(6)->0.18(7), so the 3rd-5th shots are slightly more accurate... but IN GENERAL LW VARIANTS ARE MORE ACCURATE due to one less bullet required for reaching minspreadWell, I may be wrong and should it be 0.18(1)->0.69(2)->0.588(3)->0.486(4)->0.384(5)->0.282(6)->0.18(7) and 0.18(1)->0.69(2)->0.605(3)->0.52(4)->0.435(5)->0.35(6)->0.265(7)->0.18( 8 )?

Also, non-scoped variants have 0.300s ADS time VS 0.400s ADS time on Optical, Telescopic and Suppressive variants
P.S. MG14 Suppressive is just a plain garbage and there is no real practical reason to use it over MG14 LW.

Sorry for my bad english - it's not my native language and I have difficulties with acquiring speaking/writing practice in my country. If I accidently insult you or say something wrong - I'm sorry, you can feel free to correct me.

This post has been edited 4 times, last edit by "Diavol" (Apr 16th 2018, 4:44pm)

thanks for the info. The only reason I've used the MG14 suppressive at all is because I still need to shoot down 1 more plane. I'm finding it to be almost impossible. The first one I got was a very dumb muromets pilot who slowly flew around me in a circle on ballroom operations as I shot him with the M1917 for days. Shooting at attack planes ad fighters is still pretty much pointless

Monte Grappa CQ and MG15 Suppressive is the best map and LMG for this assignment, just keep watching for overheat and place youself near B or D points.

Sorry for my bad english - it's not my native language and I have difficulties with acquiring speaking/writing practice in my country. If I accidently insult you or say something wrong - I'm sorry, you can feel free to correct me.

1. Is a lower number on spread decrease better or worse? (Is -5 on the Lewis better than -6 on the M1917?) I was prety sure a lower number was better but then I was comparing the Perino defensive with the low weight and saw that the Defensive's only bonus was -6 vs the LW's -5 and that got me confused. Surely the defensive isn't worse in every single way? I get that suppressive versions are worse in most stats but gain more ammo capacity (with the odd exception of the Parabellum suppressive which still only gets 100 rounds for sme reason). So what's the deal?

2. Is "spread increase per shot" a bad thing with LMGs or does it mean the weapon gets to min spread faster? I know this question was answered way back in the day but I'm just looking for a definitive answer.

3. Just a more general question: are LW versions as good as they look statistically? I find myself using them more than any other variant and am not sure if I'm the only one.

LMG's spread increase has negative value... well, let's take a look at LMG 08/18 LW and LMG 08/18 Suppressive (both off-bipod) as an example:
LW has 0.18+0.102*5=0.18+0.51=0.69 ADS spread at first bullet, then it decreases by 0.102 after each shot until it receives minspread, 0.69-0.102-0.102-0.102-0.102-0.102=0.102 or 0.69(1)->0.588(2)->0.486(3)->0.384(4)->0.282(5)->0.18(6), it takes exact 5 bullets, so at 6th shot you'll receive min spread, so LOWER MULTIPLIER IS BETTER
Suppr has 0.18+0.085*6=0.18+0.51 <- same spread at first shot, and total: 0.69(1)->0.605(2)->0.52(3)->0.435(4)->0.35(5)->0.265(6)->0.18(7), so the 3rd-5th shots are slightly more accurate... but IN GENERAL LW VARIANTS ARE MORE ACCURATE due to one less bullet required for reaching minspreadWell, I may be wrong and should it be 0.18(1)->0.69(2)->0.588(3)->0.486(4)->0.384(5)->0.282(6)->0.18(7) and 0.18(1)->0.69(2)->0.605(3)->0.52(4)->0.435(5)->0.35(6)->0.265(7)->0.18( 8 )?

Also, non-scoped variants have 0.300s ADS time VS 0.400s ADS time on Optical, Telescopic and Suppressive variants
P.S. MG14 Suppressive is just a plain garbage and there is no real practical reason to use it over MG14 LW.

Your first bullet is fired at minimum spread.

The second round's spread is affected by First Shot Spread Multiplier, but it doesn't affect your first shot in any way or form.
lMG08's (LW) spread would go like this:
0.18 - 0.69 - 0.588 - 0.486 - 0.384 - 0.282 - 0.18

Bro of Legion, the lurker ninja mod | Tesla FTW | RNG is evil.

Quoted from "MsMuchLove"

I find majority of the complaints I hear about this game somehow never appear in my games.

Another quick question, does anyone know the exact values for suppression? The game doesn't really explain it. I assume it's like BF4 where the shots have to be within a certain distance of the opponents head, but how fast does it build up and what are the effects? I'm assuming it is increased spread/ recoil. Now that I have the pin down spec and godly dlc MGs like the M1917 I'm finding medics and scouts in particular seem to be having a harder time returning fire than they used to. I'm just not sure if it's my imagination.

For weeks,I strafed fruitlessly at attack planes (not so for the pilots, who
Racked up lots of kills on me)

I then destroyed 2 bombers in 30-minutes of operations with the 08/18 suppressive (which is about the only use IÃ­ve found for the 08/18.)

I havenÃ­t found the 14/17 suppressive useless at all. The ROF + huge mag make it a devastating ambush weapon, useful in the trenches, or for holding off Zerg attacks. The scope helps me pick out targets through smoke & gas. I play support pretty up close and seldom engage targets past 40m.
But to each his own.
Personally, I donÃ­t find the bi-pods of LW variants add any value and go with storm variants when available. IMO, at ranges where theyÃ­re useful, youÃ­re too exposed and easy pickings for scouts.

Good bipodding I'd say is about good cover usage, not getting greedy and paying attention to which class/ weapon your opponents are using. Against a scout it's better to strafe around unless you start firing before they aim at you. Or just reposition and don't fight them. Even just taking cover for a second will make a lot of scouts pick a new targets, then you just bipod up and kill them instantly.

I've been having a lot more success with bipods lately and I think it's due to so many medics gravitating to the 1907 these days. It's obviously a solid weapon but it's very easy to outrange with an M1917 on bipod, particularly with the pin down and unbreakable specs. At longer ranges they have to land too many hits and once a little suppression hits them they're useless.

Easiest way to shoot down planes with LMGs is find a teammate camping an AA gun and help them take out planes. Faster firing weapon the better so you have better odds of getting kill shot.

Using bipod is an art. Very rarely should you be going prone unless you are completely unnoticed and have cover on multiple angles. A better use of the bipod is to find objects you can set it up on while standing or crouched. That way when the bullets do fly your way you can move into safety much quicker

Easiest way to shoot down planes with LMGs is find a teammate camping an AA gun and help them take out planes. Faster firing weapon the better so you have better odds of getting kill shot.

Using bipod is an art. Very rarely should you be going prone unless you are completely unnoticed and have cover on multiple angles. A better use of the bipod is to find objects you can set it up on while standing or crouched. That way when the bullets do fly your way you can move into safety much quicker